When Josh asked for a Vestry member to pen the Thought of the Week, I quickly volunteered, because I relished the opportunity for reflection. What better time to write a reflection than on the Summer solstice, the day when there is more light than any other of the year?
I suppose I write in the voice of the many of us who each year forget what it is like to live into "June". Years ago, I didn't understand the flourish that was "June". As I celebrate Olivia and Sophia's busy school year lives and as I share my time with the Food Pantry and St. Stephen's I now appreciate that "June" comes roaring in, and will do so for many years to come. June is the time when we look forward to Summer, yet must first experience those weeks when, with our families and friends, we have brief and joyful events to say goodbye to the many things that evolve around the academic year. We have events to wrap up our year at school; to celebrate the good works of our scout troops; to celebrate the accomplishments of our sports teams (and collect those trophies!); to compete one final time; to dance in the final recital; to honor our Sunday school teachers; to enjoy a last evening of fellowship; to graduate and throw caps in the air. Last night Trina and I joined fellow board members at the Food Pantry to close down the year in which we raised more money, distributed more food, and fed more individuals than ever before.
These events that seem to take up the entirety of June can seem never-ending. When one pledges to attend them all (and the participants generally cannot drive themselves), the joy of these events can evolve into a haze of exhaustion, and I again am reminded what it is like to be in the midst of "June". It seems we have sacrificed all of our time to celebrate these endings as we think back on the commitments of the year just past.
The readings of this week offer an opportunity to dust off the haze of "June", and remind ourselves why the commitments we choose for ourselves are important. Since I was a kid in Bible school, I've been a bit horrified about the story of Abraham sacrificing his son to God, but I read it again this evening, realizing the message is one of sacrificing for those things one truly believes in. And I suppose the presence of this story in Genesis is even more meaningful. Genesis was the beginning. We haven't yet learned the many things we will come to learn
require our commitment and sacrifice.
Our family has a first grader; these crazy Junes are still new. Yet, we also commence the journey that includes elder care. What sacrifices ahead? How do we prepare? Well, we don't really know, but if the readings offer us something, it is that we should keep our faith in our ability to make the right commitments and the right sacrifices, to be the right kind of parent, the right kind of son or daughter. Our choices are purposeful. We intended all the busy-ness of the past year; we intended to make the right choices for our families and communities. Matthew says, "whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." God tells us to we will have more reward. We will have more "Junes" to reflect once again on the joys we experienced from our choices, commitments, and sacrifices.
Now that I have reflected for you all, I hope you all have a chance to take stock of the challenges past and celebrated, and truly feel their reward. If you believe your greater challenges are ahead, as they are for many of us, be optimistic in the words of the Scripture there is reward in the sacrifice and commitments attendant to them. After all, even Abraham was offered his greatest reward for his greatest sacrifice. Something to ponder on the longest evening of the year.
